How do we learn words as a child? How are words coined, and why do they die out? Why are some never spoken, and others never written? British linguistics professor Vivian Cook—author of Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary—was perhaps destined to explore the whys of words, as he frequently encounters those who don't realize the difference between Vivian and Vivien, and thus assume he is a woman. Here he employs an irresistible mix of information, curiosity, and fun to explore the rich connotations and hidden natures of polite words and crass words, p.c. words and Shakespearean words, food and wine words and jazz and drug words.